Prematurity – it’s Forever
Posted on March 6, 2008
cc photo courtesy of Flickr user intimaj.
cc photo courtesy of Flickr user intimaj.
Have you ever had an experience in your life that changed you forever? I mean, one that changed how you look at life, how you live your life, your goals, aspirations, and the meaning of your life? Lance Armstrong has become a cancer advocate and created worldwide awareness for cancer survivors. We all know about Susan G. Komen and how the promise of two sisters changed the face of breast cancer. Brendon Burchard, the author of Life’s Golden Ticket, survived a car accident that he shouldn’t have and now advocates living life to the fullest and making a difference. To use his words, “Did I matter?”
The premature birth of your child can be one of those life changing events. It was for me. My daughter Kaley has a scar on her belly that reminds me daily how lucky I am that she is alive and healthy. I still carry guilt for the fact that I couldn’t hold my twins in my belly longer and their entrance into this world was full of needles, tubes, and daily struggles.
Until infertility, I was on a career path with thoughts about becoming a CFO or growing a consulting practice. Until infertility, my career was my focus (other than my marriage). After infertility I changed. My goal was no longer career related, it was to become a mom. Sometimes, now, I forget the difficulty of our infertility experience because it was male factor. But I have to remind myself that it WAS a big deal because it almost ended my marriage.
Because of infertility treatments, we became pregnant with twins. We were excited. We even said some of the things people say to me now like, “We only have to do this once.” We were naive about twins, even after reading medical books that explained the risks of premature birth. Sometimes you have to experience something to really appreciate the impact it will have on you or someone you love.
Today, I focus my efforts on finding ways I can get in front of the general public to educate them about the emotional impact of infertility as well as the physical and emotional aspects of premature birth. I’m seeking doctors offices where I can tell women my story in hopes that they’ll consider more conservative approaches for their infertility treatments, in order to minimize multiple gestation pregnancies. I’m no longer interested in pursuing accounting full-time!
Infertility and premature birth changed the way I look at life. I hug my daughters close to me every single day and absorb their life. Although, I don’t regret having twins, I could have done without the premature birth experience. I believe a women who endures infertility should not also have to endure prematurity or the loss of a child – they’ve been through enough already!
I know I’m not alone. Visit the Stirrup-Queens blog to get her thoughts about her prematurity experience.
What’s your life changing experience?
» Filed Under Premature Births
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